Latest News: Strong 6.1-Magnitude Quake Rocks NE India, Says USGS

Iranian Parliament Labels Entire US Military as Terrorist

Iranian lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a bill that labels all US military forces as terrorist, state TV reported, a day after Washington ratcheted up pressure on Tehran by announcing that no country would any longer be exempt from US sanctions if it continues to buy Iranian oil.

The bill is a step further from the one last week, when lawmakers approved labelling just US troops in the Middle East as terrorist, in response to the US terrorism designation for Iran's Revolutionary Guard earlier this month.

(Source: AP)

North Korea's Kim Heads to Russia for Summit With Putin: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un headed to Russia early Wednesday for his first summit with Vladimir Putin, state media reported.

Kim, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was travelling by private train to Russia, the official KCNA news agency reported, without specifying his final destination.

The Kremlin said Tuesday that the pair would meet in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok on Thursday.

(Source: AFP)

Strong 6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks NE India: USGS

A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh early Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicenter of the shallow quake was about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southeast of Along, and 180 kilometres southwest of the state capital Itanagar.

It struck at 1.45 am (2015 GMT Tuesday).

(Source: AFP)

People Have Right to Ask What Balakot Strikes Achieved: Ex- Vice Pres

Former vice president Hamid Ansari Tuesday said people have the right to ask about what was done and achieved in the Balakot airstrikes and the government should answer such questions.

He said the Narendra Modi government has a mixed record and though it started on a high note, the fulfilment of the promises it made is some distance away.

"Instead, it has been taken over by a rhetoric of a certain kind which to a man of my generation is less than desirable," he said in an interview.

Saudi Arabia Executes 37 Citizens

Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Kejriwal, Sisodia, Yadav

Rouse Avenue court has issued non-bailable warrants against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and National president of Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav after they didn't appear in a defamation case filed by a lawyer Surender Sharma.

Hearing for cancellation of warrant will be held tomorrow. The petitioner has said his candidature from AAP was cancelled in 2013 at last moment and published in media in a defamatory manner.

(Source: ANI)

ED Summons Chanda Kochhar, Her Kin

Chanda Kochhar summoned to appear before ED officials on 3 May in connection with the ICICI-Videocon case. Her husband Deepak Kochhar and brother-in-law Rajiv Kochhar have also been summoned to appear before the Mumbai Investigation office on 30 April.

J&K Police Arrests Student on Terror Suspicion

Jammu and Kashmir police has arrested a student from Central University of Punjab in Bhatinda. The arrest warrant was issued against him on suspicion of him being involved in terror-related activities.

(Source: ANI)

Communist Rebel Ambush Kills Six Philippine Troops

Communist guerillas killed six Philippine soldiers and wounded six others on Tuesday, the military said, in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the country's 50-year-old Maoist insurgency, reported news agency PTI.

Members of the New People's Army (NPA) detonated bombs in a pre-dawn ambush of soldiers marching through a mountainous area of central Samar island, triggering a four-hour firefight

Naxal Killed in Exchange of Fire

Body of a Naxal, identified as Shankar alias Kamlu, has been recovered following an exchange of fire between police and Naxals in Mirtur police station area of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, reported news agency ANI.

He was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. A 9 mm pistol has also been recovered.

More Than 50 Feared Killed in Landslide in Myanmar

More than 50 are feared killed in a landslide at Myanmar jade mine, said the police. More details awaited.

(Source: AFP)

All Colombo Police Stations on High Alert

Sri Lanka has put all police stations in Colombo on high alert following reports of a lorry and van carrying explosives.

(Source: PTI)

Strike Disrupts Normal Life in Kashmir

Normal life in Kashmir was affected Tuesday due to a strike called by separatists against the alleged ill-treatment meted out to jailed JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, reported news agency PTI.

Shops, business establishments, schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed due to the strike while public transport remained off the roads in most parts of the valley due to the strike, officials said.

45 Children Among Those Killed in Sri Lanka

UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac has said that there were 45 children among those killed in Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings.

Jammu and Kashmir Government relaxes restrictions on civilian movement on Jammu Srinagar Highway. The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 would now be limited only to Sunday with effect from 22 April. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic on Wednesday.

"Restrictions would continue between Srinagar & Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. However, these would be reviewed periodically & relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces. A complete review of restrictions would be done after last phase of elections on 6 May.

(Source: ANI)

Terrorists Opened Fire at Civilian in Bijbehara in Anantnag

Terrorists have fired upon a civilian in Jablipora village in Bijbehara in Anantnag. The injured has been admitted at a hospital. More details awaited.

(Source: ANI)

Maha: 3 Children Drown After Boat Capsizes in Osmanabad

Three children drowned Saturday after their boat capsized in Bori river in Naldurg in Osmanabad district, over 400 kilometres from here, police said.

(Source: PTI)

Crime Branch Officials Question Wife, Family Members of Rohit Shekar

The Delhi Police Crime Branch Saturday questioned the wife and family members of Rohit Shekar into his unnatural death case.

40 Hurt as Four Buses Crash

Forty passengers were injured when four buses rammed one behind the other on the Ulundurpet bypass road about 100 km from here Saturday, police said.

Two buses from Alangulam and Tirunelveli proceeding to Chennai, while the other two buses were from Kodaikanal and Uthankudi, the police said.

(Source: PTI)

BJP Made Someone Who Used Word Hindu Terror Minister: Digvijay

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh claimed Saturday that the BJP made the person who used the term "Hindu terror" in official parlance a Union minister.

He was apparently referring to R K Singh, a Union home secretary during the UPA regime who later joined the BJP and became minister.

(Source: PTI)

3 Houses, 7 Shops Gutted in Blaze in JK's Kishtwar

Three houses and seven shops were gutted in a devastating fire in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir but there was no report of any loss of life, officials said Saturday. The fire broke out in one of the structures at Dadpeth village Friday night and immediately engulfed the nearby buildings, the official said.

(Source: PTI)

Afghan Official: Blast Rocks Country's Capital, Kills 2

A suicide blast rocked Afghanistan's capital Saturday during a gun battle with security forces, officials said, killing at least two people a day after hopes for all-encompassing peace talks collapsed. At least six people were wounded.

(Source: AP)

36 Injured As Bus Overturns in Udhampur

At least 36 persons were injured Saturday when a passenger bus turned turtle in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

(Source: PTI)

IAF to Recommend Wing Commander Abhinandan for Vir Chakra

The Indian Air force plans to recommend Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for the wartime gallantry award, Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 in an aerial dogfight.

(Source: ANI)

Govt Extends GST Sales Return Deadline to 23 April

The government has extended the last date for filing summary sales return, GSTR-3B, for March by three days to 23 April.

"Due date for filing GSTR-3B for the tax period March 2019 has been extended to April 23, 2019," a ticker on GST portal ‘gst.gov.in' said. The last date for filing summary sales return and payment of taxes for March is April 20, 2019.

(Source: PTI)

Three Youths Commit Suicide in J&K's Rajouri

Three youth allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves inside their houses in three separate incidents in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday.

The preliminary investigations suggests that the trio had committed suicide for unknown reasons, an official said.

(Source: PTI)

ISIS Module: NIA Arrests Key Conspirator From Delhi

The NIA on Saturday arrested Mohammad Gufran from Delhi in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group, which was allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts, targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India.

(Source: PTI)

IAF Transfers Wing Commander Abhinandan Amid Security Concerns

Indian Air Force transferred Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman out of the Srinagar airbase amid concerns over his security in Kashmir valley. The officer is posted to an important airbase in the Western sector.

(Source: ANI)

Kabul Attack Over, Assailants Killed

The attack on the Afghan Ministry of Communication and Information is over, after all assailants were killed. No terrorist mgroup has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

J&K Highway Ban Partially Relaxed

S. Muthiah Passes Away at 89

S. Muthiah, chronicler of Chennai's history and columnist for The Hindu, has passed away at the age of 89.

(Source: The Hindu)

Gunmen kill 13 at Veracruz bar

Gunmen shot dead 13 people at a bar in the city of Minatitlan in the Mexican Gulf coast state of Veracruz, authorities said on Friday, in one of the worst slayings to hit Mexico since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office.

(Source: Reuters)

Foundation stone layed for first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Thousands of Indians rejoiced and participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi today.

Indian Ambassador to UAE, Navdeep Suri read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the occasion, congratulating the Gulf nation for this initiative.

(Source: PTI)

Guided Missile Destroyer 'Imphal' Launched

The Indian Navy launched guided missile destroyer Imphal today. The vessel, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, is the third ship under Project 15B (Vishakapatnam class).

It successfully slipped into the waters at 12:20 pm.

(Source: PTI)

Foreign Secretary Gokhale to Visit China for Talks With Chinese FM

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijing's continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist".

Gokhale will be visiting China for regular consultations, the Indian Embassy here said on Saturday.

(Source: PTI)

Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express Derails Near Kanpur

Twelve coaches of the Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express derailed near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh early on Saturday, injuring at least 15 people.

The train was going to New Delhi when the incident occurred near Rooma railway station -- about 20 km from here -- in Kanpur Nagar district around 12.50 am. Four out of the 12 derailed Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches had overturned, North Central Railway public relations officer Amit Malviya said.

(Source: PTI)

Jihadist Attack Kills 13 Regime Fighters in North Syria

An attack today by jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate killed 13 regime fighters on the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo, a war monitor said.

A faction linked to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham "early Saturday attacked checkpoints and positions of regime forces on the western outskirts of Aleppo city", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

(Source: AFP)

Kosovo Repatriates 110 Citizens From Syria

Kosovo repatriated 110 of its citizens from Syria, mostly mothers with their children having followed their partners who went to join jihadist groups in the war-torn country, reported AFP.

"Today, in the early hours of the morning, a very sensitive and important operation was conducted with the help of the United States in which the Kosovar government repatriated 110 citizens from the war zone in Syria," justice minister Abelard Tahiri told a news conference.

(Source: PTI)

Jet Airways Employees Seek President's Intervention

Employees of Jet Airways have written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention to recover outstanding dues as well as to expedite the process of emergency funds for the airline, which has shuttered its operations temporarily.

(Source: PTI)

NIA Arrests an ISIS Sympathizer

NIA Sources: NIA has arrested an ISIS sympathizer from his home in Kings Colony in Hyderabad.

The Indian Medical Association and the Indian Psychiatric Society appealed to producers of the film "Mental Hai Kya" to withdraw its teasers and change the movie's title, besides revising its content if it has any provocative sequence, dialogue or song.

(Source: PTI)

IS Hits Syria Army with Deadliest Attacks Since 'Caliphate'

Islamic State group jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in Syria, in what a monitoring group described Saturday as their deadliest operation since the fall of the "caliphate".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four senior Syrian army officers were among the troops and allied militiamen killed in the desert east of Homs province over the past 48 hours.

Egypt Begins Vote on Extending El-Sissi’s Rule

Egyptians have begun voting on constitutional amendments aimed at keeping President el-Sissi in power until 2030.

The referendum comes amid an unprecedented crackdown on dissent in recent years. El-Sissi’s government has arrested thousands of people, most of them Islamists but also prominent secular activists, and rolled back freedoms won in a 2011 pro-democracy uprising.

(Source: AP)

Three Naxals Held in Chhattisgarh

Three Naxals were arrested from Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. The lower-rung cadres were apprehended on Friday from the forest of Dumampara-Tumakpal villages under Katekalyan police station limits when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and district force was out on a search operation.

Six electronic detonators, five gelatin rods, a bundle of electric wires and other Naxal-related material was recovered from them.

(Source: PTI)

Two Men Arrested for Journalist Lyra Mckee's Killing

Police in Northern Ireland say they have arrested two men in connection with the killing of journalist Lyra McKee. They men aged 18 and 19 were detained under anti-terrorism legislation, stated the Police Service of Northern Ireland .

(Source: AP)

Reliance: Not Involved in Cash Payment Arrangement to Venezuela's PDVSA for Oil

Reliance Industries has denied involvement in any arrangements with the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA that lead to cash payments for oil supplies. It also said that it is not in violation of any U.S. sanctions.

(Source: Reuters India)

Explosion Reported in Kabul

Explosion reported in a crowded area in Kabul, Afghanistan. The target of attack is the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology headquarters.

A ministry spokesman Nusrat Rahimi says three attackers were involved in the attack. He says two attackers have been killed by security forces.

(Source: TOLOnews)

INS Vikrant to be Delivered to Navy by 2021

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba: Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant is undergoing outfitting at Kochi shipyard Ltd. Its harbour acceptance trials are in progress & sea acceptance trial will commence in the later half of this year; It will be delivered to Navy by 2021.

(Source: ANI)

KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya Fined Rs 20 Lakh Each

BCCI Ombudsman has directed KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to pay Rs 1 lakh each to families of 10 constables in para-military forces who have lost their lives on duty and Rs 10,00,000 in the fund created by Cricket Association for the blind, for promotion of game for the blind, within 4 weeks.

If the amounts are not deposited by KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya within the time granted, BCCI may deduct the amounts from the match fees payable to them.

(Source: ANI)

Militant Killed in Encounter in J&K’s Baramulla

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, an Army official said Saturday.

The encounter took place at Watergam town in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Some weapons and war-like stores were recovered from the site of the operation, the official said.

The operation was over but the militant was yet to be identified, he said, adding that further details were awaited.

(Source: PTI)

NIA Conducting Searches at Three Locations in Hyderabad

NIA is carrying out searches at three locations in Hyderabad and one in Wardha, against a suspected ISIS module.

(Source: ANI)

Macron Sparks Turkish Anger by Meeting Syrian Kurds

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, 19 April, hosted representatives of the Kurdish-led force that defeated Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria, drawing a sharp rebuke from Turkey's foreign ministry.

Macron assured the Kurdish envoys of French support in their fight against the remaining jihadists, but Ankara accused the French leader of "seeking to confer artificial legitimacy on a faction of terrorist groups".